You've probably read the stories and you've almost certainly seen the clips from Obama's first press conference. In today's media environment, it's already old news. But allow me to make a couple of belated observations.

The most gripping thing about Friday's event was that which people could not see: the atmosphere. Obama held a couple of similar looking events during the campaign where he would trot out an impressive phalanx of advisors to stand behind him as he delivered prepared remarks on national security or the economy.

Friday's press conference was identical in all respects but one: the would be president was now the president elect. And that made all the difference in the world. The sheer power imbued by the title of president (or president elect, as the case may be) is hard to appreciate until you see it in action, and it was striking to feel it up close. To see a line up of mostly older, mostly gray-haired, and mostly white men standing behind the young black leader of the free world was to truly understand the historic nature of last Tuesday's vote.

Obama himself was surprised, flashing a grin and uttering a "wow" as the press corps rose to their feet as he entered the room.

Aside from his prepared opening remarks in which he briefly outlined his thoughts on the economy, the press conference was devoid of any meaningful content.  On one hand, this is understandable: Obama was  obligated to make some kind of public appearance following the election. On the other hand, the event was carefully staged and scripted, which is something we've unfortunately come to accept as the norm these days. Obama called on reporters in a predetermined order, often before they'd even raised their hands.  The questions were fluffy and generally vague, as were Obama's responses.

Before you knew it the press conference was over, and we were left to reflect on a 20-minute event that was formal, polite, but ultimately unsatisfying.

Ironically, Obama's response to the fluffiest question of all - the one about his family trying to reconcile its choice of dog, saying they were looking for a "mutt like me" - demonstrated the kind of easy charm that makes him such a likeable figure and that may be his greatest asset as he prepares to take control of the world's greatest democracy.